Home Buying Tips

Finding and purchasing a home that will meet your needs now, and in the years to come, can be a tedious process. At Coldwell Banker our goal is to make this process as easy and successful as possible. Here are some tips that may be followed to make the search of finding a new home easier.

Getting Started
Before you start looking for a home you should ask yourself a few questions:

• Where do you want to live? Do you want to be close to schools, shopping or work?
• What kind of house would you like (need)? Are you looking for a particular style? How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want? Do you want a yard?
• How much house can you afford? Have you consulted a Realtor® or mortgage lender to determine the size of the mortgage you would qualify for?

Here are a few tips to help you get organized:

• Call Coldwell Banker Mortgage. They can pull a credit report with your permission and let you know if there are any problems that need to be cleaned up.
• Browse through real estate advertisements in the newspaper and here on ColdwellBankerMoves.com. This will give you a good feel for the types of homes that are on the market and what they cost.
• Visit open houses on the weekend. It doesn't cost anything to look, and looking at a few different homes might give you ideas for things you'd like in a house but haven't considered.
• Start saving money - you'll need to have cash on hand for a down payment and closing costs.
• Don't incur any additional debt. Pay down your credit cards - and don't apply for any new ones. Don't make any major purchases on credit - buy the furniture or car later.
• Contact a Coldwell Banker Sales Associate at one of the offices in your area. Your Realtor® can help you determine how much you can afford, and they can provide you with information on homes that may interest you. The Sales Associate will also help you complete all of the necessary forms when it comes time to make an offer.

Why you should work with a Realtor®
Working with a professional Realtor to buy your home is a good idea for several reasons:

• They will analyze your financial situation to help you determine how much you can afford.
• They are familiar with the process of buying a home and can explain things to you.
• They can easily access information on all properties listed for sale by Realtors® in your area.
• They can set up appointments for you to see homes that interest you.
• They will help you complete all the necessary paperwork when it comes time to make an offer.
• They will be there at closing to answer your questions and make sure everything runs smooth.

Choosing a Realtor®
Searching for your dream home can be a time-consuming experience. Working with a professional Realtor® will make the process much more efficient.

Since most people spend a fair amount of time with their Realtor, it's important to choose one that you feel comfortable with, and one who is responsive to your needs. The following questions will help you decide if a particular Realtor® is right for you:

• Do they return your phone calls?
• Do they ask you questions to determine what you want/need in a house?
• Do they perform a financial analysis to help you determine how much you can afford?
• Do they explain things clearly?
• Do they seem knowledgeable about the community?
• Do you feel comfortable spending time with them?

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